Vertical takeoff and landing aircraft

Abstract

A flight capable mobile platform adapted for covert deployment is provided. The mobile platform is additionally adapted to have a reduced vulnerability to hostile detection and aggression. The mobile platform includes a fuselage having a pair of sidewalls and a bottom. The sidewalls and bottom form an armored payload bay. The mobile platform additionally includes a pair of wings connected to the fuselage. The wings have a fixed wingspan constructed such that the mobile platform can be transported by a larger second mobile platform. This allows for the mobile platform to be aerial deployed from the larger second mobile platform. Each of the sidewalls include at least one pulse ejector thrust augmentor (PETA) bank that is canted outward. Therefore, thrust exhaust produced by each PETA bank is directed down and away from a centerline of the payload bay. Furthermore, the bottom of the mobile platform is adapted to allow ingress and egress of cargo, e.g. military troops, from the payload bay.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 649,033, filed on Aug. 27, 2003. The disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to flight capable mobile platforms aircraft and more specifically to a flight capable mobile platform, such as a vertical take off and landing (VTOL) aircraft, adapted for covert deployment and enhanced protection against hostile detection and aggression. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Tactical vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft are known. Such known tactical VTOL aircraft are generally quick and maneuverable rotary blade aircraft, i.e. helicopters, that are used for airborne special operations. Being small and relatively quiet, and having a sufficient load to size ratio, these VTOL aircraft have provided a stable platform for the special operations world. They a...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] According to one preferred form, a flight capable mobile platform, such as a vertical take off and landing (VTOL) aircraft, adapted for covert deployment is provided. The mobile platform aircraft is additionally adapted to have a reduced vulnerability to hostile detection and aggression. The mobile platform aircraft includes a fuselage having a pair of sidewalls and a bottom. The sidewalls and bottom form an armored payload bay. The mobile platform aircraft additionally includes a pair of wings connected to the fuselage. The wings have a fixed wingspan constructed such that the aircraft can be transported by a larger aircraft. This allows for the aircraft to be aerial deployed from the larger aircraft. Each of the sidewalls include at least one pulse ejector thrust augmentor (PETA) bank that is canted outward. Therefore, thrust exhaust produced by each PETA bank is directed down and away from a centerline of the payload bay. Furthermore, the bottom of the aircraft is adapted to allow ingress and egress of cargo, e.g. military troops, from the payload bay.

Problems solved by technology

However, known tactical VTOL aircraft are still range / payload constrained and need to be flown with hostile ground fire, ever maturing radar, infrared and acoustic based threats in mind.

For example, oversized axial propulsion will reduce cruise efficiency.

The complexity of an aircraft designed to accommodate both horizontal and VTOL capabilities also increases the maintenance requirements on the aircraft and therefore increases the overall life cycle costs to operate the aircraft.

Additionally, known VTOL aircraft must still be operated in view of increasingly dangerous risks.

For example, detection / observation methods such as radar, infrared, acoustical, electromagnetic, contrails and visual detection pose serious survivability threats to known VTOL aircraft.

Acoustically, the rotors of typical VTOL aircraft generate a strong, broadband signature that is very distinctive making them very vulnerable to acoustical detection.

Untreated engine exhaust create an easy target for shoulder launched heat seeking missiles and very little radar cross section detection is possible.

The maturation of detection sensors and antiaircraft weapons has progressed to a point that aircrews and passengers are at an ever increasing risk.

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